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Host multiple Web sites by using IIS and a single IP address

The information in this tutorial applies to:

Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Family
Microsoft Small Business Server 2000


Important Notice:

Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) 5.x under Windows 2000, Windows XP Home or Windows XP Professional does not allow you to host more than one web server.

You will have to upgrade to one of the operating systems in the list above to be able to host multiple Web sites with IIS or simply choose other Web Server platform (e.g. Apache).

Summary:

This tutorial provides step-by-step instructions for hosting multiple Web sites with IIS (Internet Information Server) 5.x or 6.x by using a single IP address and No-IP service.


Setting up NO-IP+ Plus accounts

Create an No-Ip account, if you haven't already done that, login to your account, and click "Add Domain" in the No-Ip Plus menu. Enter the domain name you want to use with No-IP Plus service and follow instructions to complete your setup.

Download and install Dynamic DNS update client and configure it for your account allowing it to download your hosts you recently setup with NO-IP+ Plus service.

Note:
If you have choosen to setup a new domain name, you have to allow DNS services for your domain name up to 24 hours to be propagated on the Internet.


Setting up IIS


Usually IIS is not installed automatically under MS Windows operating systems, so you will have to install it by going to Windows Control Panel, choosing Add/Remove Programs, then Add/Remove Windows components, and check Internet Information Services (IIS).

After installation is completed, go to Windows Control Panel, Administrative Tools and start Internet Services Manager.


Click for full size.


Setting-Up Web Site(s)



1. Right-click the Server name (root of the tree marked with an asterisk *) choose New, Web Site.

2. Type Description of your first Web site and click next. (e.g. mysite1)

3. In the Ip address field choose "(All Unassigned)".

4. In the port field enter 80 or something else if you are using alternate ports (or if your ISP has blocked port 80).

5. In the Host Header field enter domain name (e.g. mysite1.com) (One of the domain names you have setup earlier
with No-Ip+ service) and click next.

6. Click Browse and point to the directory where your Web Site files for the domain name above are located.
(e.g. C drive -> sites folder -> mysite1) Make sure that "Allow anonymous access.." box is checked if you want all users
to be able to see your website. Click next.

7. For standard browsing preferences leave settings on this page as they are, otherwise configure them
after your needs. Click next.

8. Click Finish.


Repeat this step for every Website you need to setup.


Now, you will be able to see your WebSite(s) name(s) in the server list now.


Try opening your browser and type your domain name in the URLs field, (e.g. mysite1.com) If everything is configured as it should be, you will be able to see your website.


Congratulations!

Now, you can repeat process above to setup as many Websites you want with IIS.


Configuring/Troubleshooting Web Site(s)

If you can't see your website or see login window (web browser returns message "You are not authorized to view this page") you will have to configure properly access rights for your website or index file (the first file that your users see when they type in your domain name) that you will use with your website.

1. Right-click the Website name in your server list you recently setup and choose Properties from the menu.



2. Click Directory Security tab then click Edit "Anonymous Access.." section.

3. Make sure that Anonymous Access property is checked and click "Edit..." button.

4. See if user account located has right access setup to access information on your computer/website folder.


To make sure that you have a problem with access rights, try using/setting Administrators account here.

Now, try opening your browser and type your domain name in the URLs field, (e.g. mysite1.com) If you had a problem with access rights, this has been resolved and you will be able to see your website.


If you have resolved access-right issue, but you are receiving "Directory Listing Denied" message, you have probably pointed your website to the index file that has not been associated with allowed/registered index file on/for your website.


1. Right-click the Website name in your server list you recently setup and choose Properties from the menu.

2. Click Documents tab.

Under Enable Default Document section you will se index files registered with your website. If you are using e.g. myindexfile.htm or myindexfile.html or myindexfile.php as your index file you will have to declare/register it here.

3. Click Add, then type your index file name (e.g. index.php), and press Ok.

4. Press Ok again.

Now, try opening your browser and type your domain name in the URLs field, (e.g. mysite1.com).

Congratulations!

Now, you can repeat process above to properly configure all Website(s) with IIS.

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